Rear speakers dead - any ideas?

[Matin]

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone has knowledge about the speaker systems..

The front two speakers work fine (no speakers in the doors), just the rear is dead. - I have an aftermarket head unit made by Alpine.

Any ideas before I start ripping stuff up?

Car is a 1992 500E

Cheers

 

[JC220]

Is the centre fader switch still in place? It’s a dial type switch near the gear selector. Try moving it back & forth to see if anything changes.


Since you say the car has an aftermarket head unit fitted I would start by pulling it out & taking a look at the wiring. In most all cases it will have been hacked up to fit the aftermarket radio. Chances are that’s where the problem lies. Also take a look under the rear parcel shelf inside the boot to check that the speakers look original & have the wires connected.


People are supposed to use an adapter harness when fitting a radio but as I say any car I have had there is always terrible wiring waiting behind the radio. I normally buy a new ISO plug & solder it into place tidying all the wiring up as I go. That way any other radio install will be easy – just plug it in.


Conversely, should you wish to install a Becker Unit or similar now would be the time to make that choice as you will then want to re-instate the original type radio plug.

 

[Matin]

Is the centre fader switch still in place? It’s a dial type switch near the gear selector. Try moving it back & forth to see if anything changes.

Joe - thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! I totally forgot about the fader switch, moved it around and the rears started working again! Saved me tearing everything up.

I bought some new Rainbow speakers, so I'll fit them in on the weekend!

thank you again

Matin